Gamblers Consumer Forum launches affordability checks call for evidence following DCMS talks
Pro-industry body reaches out to public as politicians confirm checks will only be fully implemented as “frictionless” tech
The Gamblers Consumer Forum (GCF) has launched a call for evidence around affordability checks following stalemate talks with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The pro-industry body has spoken with senior officials from DCMS and Number 10 in recent weeks but reported that discussions around the much-maligned checks failed to bear fruit.
The GCF asserted that DCMS said affordability checks would only be implemented when they are fully frictionless, something which the GCF has said is an “impossible goal”.
The group has now reached out to members of the public to provide emails, screenshots and other interactions with operators regarding affordability checks.
Respondents willing to detail their experiences have been asked to do so in less than two paragraphs, along with outcomes in relation to the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) or complaint procedures.
Once evidence is collated, the GCF is planning to submit the evidence to DCMS and the Gambling Commission (GC) in due course.
Speaking to EGR, GCF head of communications Abbie MacGregor said politicians had ignored “stark warnings” from the body regarding affordability checks.
MacGregor remarked: “A few weeks ago the GCF took a joint meeting with advisers from DCMS and Number 10. During this meeting, they were unable to cite any evidence that affordability checks will help those harmed by gambling, nor could they elaborate on the metric of success for this policy.
“We know that frictionless checks are an impossible goal, because they are already happening. At present, both DCMS and the Gambling Commission are pretending that is not the case for the convenience of maintaining their position that gambling is a fundamentally harmful activity.
“That’s why we have launched a call for evidence, inviting gamblers to show us the friction they have experienced when using bookmakers at any stage of a betting transaction. We will then present this clear evidence to the GC and DCMS.
“Affordability checks are deeply flawed, and are not the solution to helping those addicted to gambling, nor do they have any place in a democratic society where individuals should be at liberty to spend their own money as they wish,” she added.
EGR Intel
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